Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Expansion

Floor Speech

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6843), to expand the boundaries of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area to include Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6843

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA EXPANSION.

Section 213 of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Act (subtitle B of title II of Public Law 109-338) is amended--

(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``and Ascension Parish'' and inserting ``Ascension, and Lafourche Parish''; and

(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``14'' and inserting ``15''.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. 6843, the bill now under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support Leader Scalise's bill, H.R. 6843, which will modestly expand an existing national heritage area located in his district.

Currently encompassing 14 parishes in southern Louisiana's Atchafalaya Basin, this national heritage area promotes the region's unique traditions, language, culture, and landscape.

The Atchafalaya is the Nation's largest river swamp, boasting abundant natural resources such as ancient live oaks, towering cypress, sugarcane, and cotton. The region is also home to residents of European, African, Caribbean, and Native-American descent who all contribute to the area's famous Cajun culture.

By promoting heritage development and tourism, the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area protects the region's very cultural and physical resources, while contributing to the local economy.

H.R. 6843 will build on that success by expanding the boundaries of the national heritage area to include nearby Lafourche Parish. This humble expansion will help create jobs and safeguard the region's natural and cultural resources.

I want to commend Leader Scalise for leading this effort to help promote local natural and cultural resources without Federal management or ownership and empower local approaches and do not hinder economic development.

Mr. Speaker, I support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, this straightforward bill will help strengthen the economic development, resource protection, and cultural heritage of a unique part of the country, while keeping Federal involvement to a minimum.

I thank the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise) for leading this important effort and for his tireless work on behalf his constituents.

Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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